The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-29
NEW LAW FOR THE KNIGHTS
The Returns Show that the Amended
Constitution Has Been Adopted.
Many Important Changes Made-Threatened
Strike ofStandard-O Oil Employes-Bodyke
Scenes Reproduced in Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA, June 28.-By returns made to
the general headquarters of the Knights of La
bor this morning, the new constitution OF the
order, embodying many important changes, has
been adopted by about threefourths vote.
clause providing for the formation of national
trades assemblies, sent out separately from the
constitution and voted upon by the local ASSEMBLE
les throughout the order has also been adopted by
nearly the same vote. The new constitution will
be promulgated by the general executive board
in few days, and will go into effect i'm mediately
after its PRONUNCIATION. An analysis of the vote
shows that nearly half of the local assemblies
that opposed the adoption of the new constitu-
ton did so on account of Sec 325 which reads:
mo local or other assembly or members shall,
directly indirectly. give or sell or have any
ale, beer or Intoxicating liquors OF any kind at
any meeting, party, soclable, ball, picnic
tertainment whatever appertaining to the order.
Any member found guilty OF violating this law
shall be suspended not less than six months, or
expelled. No fine shall be imposed for this Of
fense Any local or other assembly 30 offending
shall be suspended during the pleasure of the
general executive board, or shall have its charter
revoked by said board"
Nearly every assembly composed solely of
Germans voted against this clause, and, there
FORE against the whole.
The article upon cooperation was adopted
for the creation and disbursement Of fund to
aid cooperative enterprises. Each local assem-
bly, is required to collect and deposit a sum not
less than two cents per month for every member
in good standing. The money is to be invested
oy the cooperative board, aud the profits 10
be divided equally between the General Assem-
bly,, the cooperative fund and the workmen who
create the profit.
The new constitution gives the general execu-
tive board full power to settle all strikes and
disputes. whether sanctioned by the board or
not, and it increases the powers of the general
board in many other particulars. Hereafter
eacn district, State, national unattached local
assembly, shall be entitled to one delegate to
each 5000 members or majority fraction thereof.
The term of Office, over which there has been
much controversy, has been fixed at two years.
The compensation hereafter will be fixed by the
General Assembly when the officer is elected
The national trades assembly clause is proba-
bly, the most important of the changes. 1t pro-
vides that ANY particular trade or calling may
form a national trade assembly by giving at
least three months notice to each local assembly
the entire membership of which is composed
OF such trade-to attend a convention for the
purpose of forming a national trade assembly"
At least two-thirds of the local ASSEMBLE must
vote in favor of the trade assembly, and not less
than ten assemblies. If there oe that number in
the order, may receive a charter.
Section of the article is not very strong,
however, as it still leaves the matter in the
hands of the general executive board. which, If
the law has been complied with, may instruct
the general secretary to issue n charter. Votes
will be received until July 10, and recorded.
although the new constitution will be in effect
some time before that, probably about July /.
Threatened Strike of Standard Oil Employees
PHILADELPHIA, June 28.-The striking oil
men made new move yesterday, which, if sue
cessful, may result in general strike of all the
employees of the Standard Oil Company through
out the country especially in the refineries sit
uated at Cleveland, Buffalo. New York, Brook
Ign, Pittsburg, Bayonne and Oil City. Over
10000 men would be thus affected The works
OF the Atlantic and Philadelphia refining com
pauies at Point Breeze now almost effect
ually tied up. The strikers exceedingly Wig
liant and have succeeded in persuadDg great
crowd of men from working in their places. An
enthusiastic meeting of the strikers held at
Welders Hall, yesterday afternoon The arbi-
tration committee presented the following
lutions which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, We have used every peaceful means to
settle the strike; therefore.
Resolved, That we lay the cause and origin of
strike before the manufacturing committee of the
Standard Oil Company in New York.
Resolved, That ask them to investigate the mat
ter. If this attempt be unsuccessful that call
brethren in all the rehneres the Standard
Oil Company to come to our aid.
The resolutions closed with an exhortation to
be firm. Correspondents with New York has
assured the strikers here of the supper of their
New York brethren.